WELWYN GC'S in form under 25 development side made their second trip to near neighbours Hertford in the Under 25's League Trophy quarter-final.

Their previous visit to Hertingfordbury Park this season saw them walloped 8-1 by the home side, who are managed by ex-WGC stalwart and reserve boss Neil Draper and have a number of former Herns Lane players in their side.

This time it was a different story against a WGC side who have opened 2017 with two successive victories, scoring seven and not conceding.

The Herns Lane youngsters ran the Under 25 division leaders very close, despite having an injury hit squad and several players unavailable.

Hertford started the stronger and took an eighth minute lead, cashing in on a defensive mix-up. Very quickly, the home side were 2-0 ahead as the division's top scorer Mason Todd added to his tally.

But from this point, WGC responded and just before the break, Luke White applied a neat finish to a good move to make it 2-1 at the break.

Goalmouth action was at a premium in the early part of the second-half, but 20 minutes from time, Hertford looked to have sealed the tie, scoring from a corner, when the visitors' defence didn't mark well at the set piece.

WGC keeper Matt Eamens produced an outstanding save to keep his side falling further behind, although there were Hertford appeals that the ball had crossed the line. The referee waved play on.

Then Owain Page continued his fine form of late with an excellent goal with a 25 yard lob over the home keeper to reduce the lead to a single goal.

But after three games in a week, WGC's youngsters' tired legs couldn't fashion an equaliser, although they had Hertford holding on for the final whistle.

Said WGC under 25 assistant manager Ian Prior: " This was a big fixture for us with several ex-WGC players in their ranks and a former WGC manager. They are a strong outfit, but we showed great fight and took them all the way. I'm proud of our performance, particularly in view of the result last time we were here.''